BWCA Smart Wool vs Cool Max Socks Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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NDCanoe
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03/18/2008 04:43PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Any opinions on these? Are they the same basic material with just different brand names? Let's assume it's for dry footing and hiking (when not in the BWCA).


 
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03/18/2008 06:09PM  
I've noticed they are both pricey, so I opted for the cheapest merino wool socks I could find; WIGWAM about $9 a pair.
 
03/18/2008 06:14PM  
ive been really happy with these. a two pack for the price listed. but, no...i have no knowlege of the two youre asking about.

columbia
 
Arkansas Man
Moderator
  
03/18/2008 06:21PM  
My wife bought me a pair of "Darn Tough" hiking socks and they are very good, they have a life time warranty too! But what I really like a thin pair of Thermax liner socks... they dry quickly and are easy to put on.

Bruce
 
canoealingus
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03/18/2008 06:58PM  
I havn't tried the cool max socks but heres my scoop on the Smart Wool and Wigwam socks and a few other tid bits.
First of all I'm a tool room Machinist/Machine builder, so I stand on concrete 8-10 hours a day basically in one place. One of the hardest things to do to your feet, knees and lower back. I have trouble with all three after a life time of it.
I've tried insoles, different shoes etc. Until I switched to Smart wool socks, when I bought my Asolo hiking shoes and then started wearing them in my work shoes. What a difference! It was like walking around on nice cushy carpeting, my feet felt so much better (and dryer) at the end of the day.
I bought a pair of Med. weight and Heavy weight as well as Expedition weight.
The heavy weight felt to tight at first but they do compress after awhile. It's not just the fact that they're Merino wool but the loop type stiching that they're made with, which is why the next tip is important. When you take them off and put them in the laundry turn them inside out so they get fluffed up agian. Just like you would fluff up a down sleeping bag. My son bought the Wigwam and likes them but the way the knit is manufactured in the Smart wool is better. I got mine at REI and if you buy three pair of more you get 10% off.
Another tip I have learned over the years that really does make a difference if you hike or hunt. Take your liners and/or socks and hang them up over night so any moisture can dry out. Never wear to tight a hunting boot if you want warm feet.
Yesterday I ordered two pair of 600grm/m2 wild life socks from Wool Power so I'll see how those do compared to the Smart wool.
Hope this helps.
 
Monnster
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03/18/2008 07:33PM  
I don't know the difference but I do own a few pairs of smart wool.I Took a pair with me last year to the BWCA. I wet-footed with them all week. They dried out rather quickly in my opinion. My feet didn't feel cold even though they were wet most of the day. We went in late August, early September, so at times it was chilly but my feet stayed warm.
 
knothead180
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03/18/2008 08:02PM  
Smart Wool socks are made of a high grade wool, and I love them for all the reasons pointed out above. Coolmax is a moisture wicking polyester fiber. So no, they are not the same thing, but they both help with moisture management. Wool is a great insulator, even when wet. Coolmax, on the other hand, is designed to maximize evaporative cooling. A Coolmax shirt is great for sweaty sports like tennis or bicycling. I've never tried Coolmax socks.
 
Hathead
member (14)member
  
03/18/2008 09:31PM  
I've got both and here's my opinion. Both are far superior to your good old-fashioned cotton crew socks. However, you'll notice two very important differences. First, the Cool Max are a synthetic sock and the Smart Wool (or any other Merino wool sock) are obviously a wool sock. The Cool Max socks will smell far worse in a short period of time--which may or may not be a big deal. The Cool Max socks will dry out slightly more rapidly than the Merino wool socks--again, may or may not be a big deal. The Smart Wool, or any other Merino wool sock, will wick moisture away better and feel far more comfortable when wet either from water or perspiration. After several years of searching and comparing I've come to prefer Merino wool socks (don't care about brand) over any other, although either the wool or Cool Max will be vastly superior to a regular cotton sock.

Hathead
 
03/18/2008 10:12PM  
I'll echo the positive comments on Smart Wool. It rocks. Buy it. It's worth every cent.

I never tried cool max socks. I have some capaline underwear, similar fabric, and it traps odor like mad. One day of sweating and its unbearable. I cannot imagine what socks would smell like.

Smart Wool on the other hand holds little odor, even after 3 days it doesn't stink like the capaline does after one. Its more comfortable to boot. I even bought Smart Wool boxers, ridiculous price but they just wick the sweat way, its amazing.
 
03/18/2008 11:00PM  
merino wool at least 60% imo. oth
 
Maddog
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03/18/2008 11:47PM  
No sweaty balls! That's genius!
 
RedPine
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03/19/2008 12:58AM  
I'm a big fan of Smartwool (or any wool as far as clothing goes) but if you haven't tried a pair I would recommend the hiking line of Thorlos socks, they are a synthetic and expensive, but it is like walking on a cloud.
 
Cedarboy
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03/19/2008 07:10AM  
Ditto overthehill, there are merino wool socks from major manu. that are 60%. Time to start reading labels. I found some 60% at Walmart, believe it, for half the price of Smarts. Also Wigwams make a great 60% merino wool sock for about $10 a pair. Nothing better than "lamb fuzz".
CB
 
bogwalker
Moderator
  
03/19/2008 07:47AM  
I also use a 60% plus Merino wool sock and not always just smartwool but I do have these as well. I also put a poly wicking sock liner on first inside of the merino sock to pull as much moisture away from my feet as possible. The wool does a good job of keeping my feet comfortable while the liner helps pull the moisture into the sock and away from my feet.
 
Maverick
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03/19/2008 08:24AM  
Huge Smartwool and Merino wool fan here. I just picked up a couple pairs from REI Outlet for 5.99 per. Not sure if the deal is still there, but worth checking out. I also have tried Wigwam.
 
InTents Camper
member (50)member
  
03/19/2008 09:06AM  
Wearing SmartWool rightnow... Really like these socks.
My personal experience with Cool Max is they get kind of slimy/clammy feeling. Can't remember the brand, this was a long time ago, but haven't bought any Cool Max tagged socks since.
I stick with the Merino Wool styles.
I do have some Patagonia Socks that have been worn to death for the past 3 years of weekly wear and they are still going strong. Another great sock!
 
NDCanoe
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03/19/2008 09:55AM  
Who knew there would be such interest in SOCKS... Sounds like Merino wool is slightly more favorable than coolmax for the feet. The 'clammy and smelly' result of coolmax doesn't sound too appealing on a weeklong hiking trip.

Thanks for all the input.
 
irishstone
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03/19/2008 10:24AM  
Are we all sock dorks or what.

I have never used the smartwool because I was worried they would be itchy or bug my feet, but after the raving reviews I am going to try some.

I have used a whole bunch of the coolmax socks. I not only go to the BWCA but I also coach soccer and work out to keep my shape from getting any more round. Rarely will I wear a sock with any cotton in it for those purposes anymore. The coolmax socks are awesome for my purposes on wet soccerfields or when I get sweaty working out. Just the past two days it was soaking wet and my feet although surrounded by wet socks, didn't feel wet. Ok maybe a little but my boots (thats what us soccer guys call cleats, were sopping wet. I can speak highly of the coolmax socks. They dry quick, are comfortable and hold up to multiple uses.

I never had any trouble with the long term smell of my socks, I wash them in just detergent, no fabric softener it messes with the synthetic fibers, and I add a bit of baking soda to the detergent. This seems to kill the smell. Then again I rarely smell my socks, shoes or feet because I'm pretty sure they all smell bad.

I usually get the best deals from campmor.com on my socks, but REI has deals from time to time and I love shopping there too. As a side note, if you are looking for a more economical way to get them, I would suggest your local outlet mall. I have bought the rebok brand and the adidias and liked them. They aren't my favorite socks, but I use them when I know I will trash a pair of socks and I can usually find a coupon for 30% off an already good price. I'd say I normally get them for half the price of the expensive socks.

Does anyone remember when you could get a 6 pack of tube socks for a buck.... man those were the days! Jeans camping, aluminum canoes, canvas tents......
 
Red Beard
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03/19/2008 08:09PM  
Smartwool socks are pricey but worth it if you ask me. Nothing keeps my feet warmer or more comfortable. Plus put a poly liner between your foot and sock, your ready for anything. Merino wool is just good in general. I own other brands made with it and have been happy. Just smartwools seem a little better. Cool max are good socks as well. I own a thin pair I wear with water shoes when canoeing and I can't even tell I'm wearing them. In my opinion good socks can make all the difference.
 
03/19/2008 09:24PM  
I'm a Wigwam fan as well and swear by them on how comfortable they are. You should also try a pair of the silk/wool blend if they still carry them. It's been about two years and I've only worn through one pair. Which I darned.
 
JeremyT
member (42)member
  
03/20/2008 03:25PM  
Coolmax make my feet stink since they are synthetic and are not as good or even comparable to Smartwool.
Smartwool, Wigwam or some decent merino wool sock all the way.
 
03/20/2008 05:37PM  
The Cool Max socks I am familiar with are for a different purpose than wool socks. They are meant to be worn as liners and are even worn under Merino wool socks sometimes. They are recommended for use as liners for water-proof socks.
 
Cedarboy
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03/20/2008 06:11PM  
irishtone
Merino wool does not itch, hence its popularity.
CB
 
03/21/2008 12:56AM  
Irishstone;

If it weren't for sockdorks they wouldn't be able to charge $18 a pair. But yeah, how your feet feel makes all the difference in the world. I wear merino wigwams every single day, nothing but.

Actually I'm out of uniform, but since we tuck our pants into our boots, nobody ever noticed for the last decade.
 
ccaz
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03/21/2008 08:37AM  
In my canoe when wet footing and for running (Summer and winter) I pretty much only wear Smartwool socks. They are great, but can be pricey. So there's three places that I have been able to get good deals. The already mentioned REI clearance, www.steepandcheap.com, and www.sierratradingpost.com. Sierra Trading Post often has 20% off codes (www.fatwallet.com) on top of their 40-60% off pricing, so go crazy with the wool...
 
HowardSprague
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03/21/2008 08:49AM  
There is quite a bit of variety within those brands too, as far as thickness and material composition/blends. I think they're both great, as is a brand I bought at Canoecopia called Teko socks. I believe they're made in Colorado. Great stuff! Very eco-friendly production too.
Teko socks

 
sirbill
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03/21/2008 06:59PM  
As a big time backpacker I use Coolmax for hiking. However for canoeing SmartWool are as good or better. Top 2 brands for me for any use can't go wrong.
 
03/21/2008 07:41PM  
Rhoner makes some good ones called "Rhoner Tech Socks". 80% merino or better made for iceskaters. Pricy but warm while wet and no wet feel. Cool in summer believe it or not. Probably best I've owned. Nice on Trail even without liners. Sierratradingpost has them for less than half and just ordered 4 pair. Should get me outta here if same as 1st pair. Wear like IRON! oth (I always went for the tubesock 6 pack for years. no more)
 
stillcanmake8guy
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03/24/2008 04:51PM  
Huge fan of the Smart Wools. Not a proponent of the polyester, if a natural fiber can used.

Another option is bamboo socks. Naturally Bamboo has a couple of great designs that I use for hiking.

The following is a link: http://www.naturallybambooclothing.com/catalog/4/accessories
 
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